Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Fifth District U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister said he considers attacks from outside groups, as well as his own party and key former supporter Phil Robertson of "Duck Dynasty," as a sign of his political strength.

"One thing I've learned in my short time in politics is that if they're attacking you, they're scared," said McAllister, R-Swartz. "I've never seen them attack anybody who was last."

It's rare for a sitting congressman to take haymakers from his own party and other groups who are generally aligned with Republican candidates, but McAllister has been a target since a video was published early this year showing him kissing a former married staffer.

"They smelled blood in the water," said McAllister, who admitted he suffered "self-inflicted wounds that I've had to overcome."

Almost immediately after the scandal broke, Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal and Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere condemned McAllister, calling him an embarrassment.

It was a theme Jindal carried through the summer while visiting Iowa as a potential 2016 presidential candidate.

And former McAllister ally Phil Robertson of "Duck Dynasty" joined the chorus last week, saying the congressman wasn't a "godly" man. Robertson went on to guarantee the godly credentials of his nephew Zach Dasher, R-Calhoun, who is running against McAllister.

The punches continued this week when the ultra-conservative group Club for Growth not only endorsed Dasher but also attacked McAllister.

Club for Growth President Chris Chocola referred to McAllister's "personal problems," but branded him what some conservatives would consider even worse that "the kissing congressman." Chocola called McAllister a "liberal," citing his support for expanding Medicaid in Louisiana.

"It's amazing that these people and groups who can't even vote in the 5th District don't think voters in the 5th District are smart enough to think for themselves," McAllister said. "My overall voting record confirms I'm conservative."

But some party heavyweights within the 5th District also have taken their shots, as was the case this week when the Republican Party Executive Committee in Rapides Parish endorsed Dr. Ralph Abraham, R-Alto.

Rapides GOP Chairman Wayne Ryan was clearly referring to McAllister when he said, ""One of the biggest accomplishments Dr. Abraham will bring back to our congressional district is honor, the restoration of integrity, honesty and trustworthiness while representing us in Congress."

"It was proved in last year's election that it's me against the establishment," McAllister said. "Nothing's changed there."

Josh Stockley, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, said Republicans and conservatives feel emboldened to attack McAllister because they believe a GOP candidate will win the seat regardless.

"Rep. McAllister finds himself in an unusual situation because he represents a district that is likely to support a Republican, so the establishment believe the odds of replacing him with a Republican more to their liking is high," Stockley said. "This wouldn't be going on in a district that was generally seen as competitive between the two parties."

Stockley said even though McAllister is correct that he never had the establishment's support, the congressman is wrong if he believes "the barrage of criticism from conservatives and Republicans won't have some kind of negative impact."

"Every criticism that comes out against him means he has to work that much harder to defend himself," Stockley said.

But through it all, McAllister has continued to run first or second in noncandidate polls.

McAllister said he isn't "actively seeking endorsements," but won't turn them down if they come. He expects to get a coveted nod from the National Rifle Association soon.

"The ultimate endorsement I'm seeking is one from the voters on Nov. 4," he said.